IT was not the way the Aberdeen Tigers envisaged how Saturday would go. But, the Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League club can take plenty of positives out of the weekend's fixtures. That's despite the first grade outfit suffering a 40-6 loss to the Scone Thoroughbreds, the reserves succumbing 26-6 to the Merriwa Magpies and the under-18s enduring a hefty 44-10 defeat at the hands of the Singleton Greyhounds. However, it's not all doom and gloom, although that will be general feeling among the playing group on Sunday morning. "We're hurting, there's no doubt about it," one senior player said. "No-one ever likes losing a grand final - in any sport. "To be fair, we had our chances against Scone. "We were in the match at 12-6 but, after a few crucial errors in our territory, all of a sudden it was 24-6. "The Thoroughbreds are too experienced to let that advantage slip. "And, being down to 12 men with 30 minutes left on the clock didn't help our cause either. "On the plus side, Aberdeen was the only club to field three teams on Saturday. "We have to be proud of that achievement. "There are some good signs ahead, especially with the juniors. "Most of those boys are eligible for the under-18s next season. "When you consider how far they've come in 12 months, we're excited to see how they progress. "As for our passionate supporters, we can't thank them enough. "Good or bad times, they're always behind us."

Not all doom and gloom for Tigers | PHOTOS

IT was not the way the Aberdeen Tigers envisaged how Saturday would go.

But, the Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League club can take plenty of positives out of the weekend's fixtures.

That's despite the first grade outfit suffering a 40-6 loss to the Scone Thoroughbreds, the reserves succumbing 26-6 to the Merriwa Magpies and the under-18s enduring a hefty 44-10 defeat at the hands of the Singleton Greyhounds.

However, it's not all doom and gloom, although that will be general feeling among the playing group on Sunday morning.

"We're hurting, there's no doubt about it," one senior player said.

"No-one ever likes losing a grand final - in any sport.

"To be fair, we had our chances against Scone.

"We were in the match at 12-6 but, after a few crucial errors in our territory, all of a sudden it was 24-6.

"The Thoroughbreds are too experienced to let that advantage slip.

"And, being down to 12 men with 30 minutes left on the clock didn't help our cause either.

"On the plus side, Aberdeen was the only club to field three teams on Saturday.

"We have to be proud of that achievement.

"There are some good signs ahead, especially with the juniors.

"Most of those boys are eligible for the under-18s next season.

"When you consider how far they've come in 12 months, we're excited to see how they progress.